A rare albino buffalo in Bangladesh - nicknamed "Donald Trump" for its distinctive blond tuft - has been spared from Eid al-Adha sacrifice after a last-minute government intervention, a Home Ministry official said on Wednesday. The nearly 700-kg animal had already been sold for ritual slaughter when authorities stepped in, citing security concerns after a surge of public interest ahead of Thursday's festival.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed ordered the buffalo be spared, the buyer refunded, and the animal moved to the national zoo in Dhaka. "At the last moment, the decision was taken to spare the buffalo from sacrifice due to security concerns and the unusual level of public interest," a ministry official said.

 

"US Embassy does not want the buffalo to be sacrificed"

"With the intervention of the home ministry, the buffalo was brought from the Rasulpur area around 5:00pm," Ruhul Quddus, officer-in-charge of Keraniganj Model Police Station, told The Daily Star. The buffalo was taken into custody, citing security concerns. "The US Embassy does not want the buffalo to be sacrificed."

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What began as a routine Eid purchase quickly turned into a nationwide curiosity after videos went viral. Crowds gathered at the farm, with visitors travelling from far afield to see its blond fringe and calm demeanour.

How did buffalo get the nick name of "Donald Trump"?

Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha said the name came from his younger brother, who spotted the resemblance. According to the farm authorities, the albino buffalo was bought from a cattle market in Rajshahi shortly after last year's Eid-ul-Azha and has since been raised with special care.

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Mridha added that the animal is unusually gentle and needs careful upkeep, including frequent feeding and regular baths. Albino buffaloes are rare in Bangladesh, where most cattle are dark, making it a standout during the peak Eid livestock season - though it was the nickname that likely saved its life.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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